In 2025, the Canadian government has temporarily halted the acceptance of new applications to sponsor parents and grandparents for permanent residency. The focus this year will be on processing applications submitted in 2024, with a target of 15,000 applications to be processed. However, Canadian citizens and permanent residents can still explore the super visa option, which allows their parents and grandparents to visit Canada for extended periods of up to five years at a time.
What Is the PGP?
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) helps Canadian citizens and permanent residents bring their parents or grandparents to Canada permanently. However, due to high demand, the program uses a lottery system.
To participate, interested sponsors must submit an “interest to sponsor” form. From 2020 to 2024, invitations to apply were issued to those who submitted forms during the 2020 intake period. This lottery system ensures fairness in selecting sponsors, as the number of eligible applicants significantly exceeds the available spots.
Why Is IRCC Pausing This Program?
Canada is significantly reducing immigration targets as a whole for 2025. Initially, the government aimed to welcome 34,000 parents and grandparents in 2025. However, this target has been lowered to 24,500 due to a 20% overall reduction in immigration levels. This change reflects a shift in government priorities and may impact families seeking to reunite with elderly relatives in Canada.
Other Options to Sponsor Your Parent or Grandparent
If you can’t sponsor your parents or grandparents for permanent residency in Canada but want them to stay with you for an extended period, you might be able to sponsor them for a super visa.
This visa allows them to stay in Canada as temporary residents for up to five years at a time. To qualify as a sponsor, you must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian living in Canada, be at least 18 years old, meet income requirements, and agree to financially support your relatives.
Your parents or grandparents must purchase health insurance for their stay and be admissible to Canada. They cannot work, study, or become permanent residents with a super visa.
If they plan to visit for six months or less, they may apply for a regular visitor visa instead.
Do You Need Help Applying for a Different Program to Canada?
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Casey
Meet Casey, one of VisaPlace's immigration news contributors. She brings 7+ years of experience of content creation and SEO to VisaPlace. Casey has honed her expertise in delivering comprehensive and up-to-date content on immigration-related matters. Her work not only encompasses the complex legal aspects of immigration but also highlights the ever-evolving policies, procedures, and news that impact immigrants and aspiring visa holders.
